South West, Florida is a golfer’s paradise. The abundance of courses, the yearlong warm weather and easy accessibility make the Sunshine State a must-visit for any golfer. The Marco Island/ Naples area in southwest Florida is no exception. Golfers visiting the area have plenty of great options on where to tee it up! Championship courses abound just a short drive from either one of our beachfront vacation rental condos.
Wherever you decide to play, you can rest assured you made a great choice. The Naples / Marco Island area has so many options you’ll need to come back many times to play them all.
Public Golf Courses:
1. Eagles Lake Golf Club (18100 Royal Tree Pkwy, 239-732-0034) is located just minutes from Marco Island and even if you don’t score an eagle, you might see an American Bald Eagle flying overhead! Low handicappers and casual players alike will find every facet of their game tested.
2. Hibiscus Golf Club (5375 Hibiscus Drive, 239-774-0088) features one of the few public practice facilities in the area. No two holes are the same but they are all memorable. Wide fairways, bunkered greens and numerous lakes and creeks present a unique challenge 18 different times.
3. Valencia Golf and Country Club (1725 Double Eagle Trail, 239-352-0777) also has an amazing practice facility with a 30-station driving range, large putting green and chipping green to improve all aspects of your game. The course is great too. Golf Digest readers continually rated it one of the top courses in the area. Golfers will be greeted with undulating fairways, lakes, and lush trees to punish any wayward tee shots.
4. Lely Resort Golf and Country Club (7989 Grand Lely Drive, 239-732-1200) Located just minutes from Marco Island, has two courses to challenge you, The Mustang and The Flamingo Island. The Mustang was designed by six-time major winner Lee Trevino and is best described as tough, but fair. Wayward tee shots aren’t a death sentence at The Mustang. Trevino provides recovery options for poorly struck shots, but the well protected greens mean The Mustang isn’t a pushover by any stretch. The Flamingo Island course isn’t as forgiving off the tee or from the fairway! Water looms almost everywhere you look so choose your club carefully. The Bermuda grass greens have recently been expanded but the severe sloping will make even the shortest putt a nerve-wracking experience. The signature par-3 5th hole must be seen with your own eyes.
Semi-Private Golf Courses: (Golf courses are typically for public use during the months of May – October)
1. The Marco Island Beach Resort Golf Club and Spa (400 South Collier Blvd, 239-394-2511) offers two options for golfers, the Rookery Course and the Hammock Bay course. The Rookery course was recently redesigned by former PGA Tour player Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy. They placed a premium on visual appeal and playability for golfers of all levels and have succeeded! You’re sure to have fun playing the Rookery Course. Fun is also a given on the Hammock Bay Course too. Another Jacobsen and Hardy collaboration, the course features 18 unique holes with a natural beauty that can be quite a distraction! You’ll need to stay focused though, because your approach shots to the green will be tough. The contours, shape and design of the greens were made with your approach shot in mind. You’ll have plenty of options on each hole, it just depends on how much of a risk taker you are!
2. The Creek Course at Fiddler’s Creek (8152 Fiddlers Creek Pkwy, 239-732-9300) combines Florida’s natural beauty with a challenging course for golfers of all levels. The championship course is designed by acclaimed architect Arthur Hills and mixes open water, marshes and over 70 bunkers to challenge you. Broad fairways and elevated greens provide the perfect risk/reward golfing experience.
3. Vanderbilt Country Club (8250 Danbury Blvd, 239-348-2662) has been recently renovated at a cost of over $2 million. Water comes into play on the majority of the holes and you’ll be tested right out of the gate with a difficult opening hole. Bring your A-game because you’ll need it at this demanding test. Although it’s a semi-private course tee times are available during the summer months.
4. Treviso Bay (9800 Treviso Bay Blvd, 239-331-2052) If you want to feel like a PGA Tour pro, then the TPC Course at is right up your alley. Blending the best of older and newer course designs, the TPC at Treviso Bay has 18 holes of picturesque, perfectly maintained golf while providing top end luxurious amenities you would expect from a PGA Tour owned and operated course.
5. Cedar Hammock (8660 Cedar Hammock Blvd, 239-793-1134) has water in play on all 18 holes so make sure your bag is fully stocked. Their championship course is set within a community of homes where over half of the site is dedicated to lakes, wetlands and wildlife so it’s no surprise water features so heavily. It’s a beautiful and natural environment for Mother Nature and golfer alike. Nine sets of tees offer you the best possible golfing experience regardless of your handicap.
